Detection of genetic alterations in the p53 suppressor gene and the k-ras oncogene among different grades of dysplasia in patients with colorectal adenomas

BACKGROUND. Although it is believed that p53 suppressor gene mutations, compared with mutations in the K-ras oncogene, occur at a later stage of colorectal tumorigenesis, the distribution of these genetic alterations at an early stage remains poorly characterized. METHODS. The authors analyzed the immuno reactivity for p53 protein (p53 Protein expression), which reflects the functionally altered p53 gene, and K-ras mutations at codons 12 in 68 colorectal adenomas with both low-grade and high-grade dysplasia obtained from 62 patients. RESULTS. The prevalence of p53 positive immunostaining was significantly greater compared with the prevalence of K-ras mutations both in low-grade dysplasia and in high-grade dysplasia. Twenty-two adenomas (32.3%) showed positive immunostaining for p53 protein in high-grade dysplasia and also were positive for p53 in surrounding low-grade dysplastic tissues; 20 adenomas (29.4%) showed positive immunostaining for p53 protein in high-grade dysplasia and were negative for p53 in surrounding low-grade dysplastic tissues; 8 adenomas (11.7%) showed negative immunostaining for p53 protein in high-grade dysplasia and were positive for p53 in surrounding low-grade dysplastic tissues; and 18 adenomas (26.4%) showed negative immunostaining for p53 protein in both high-grade dysplasia and in surrounding low-grade dysplastic tissues. On the whole, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was seen in the frequency of p53 positive immunostaining between low-grade dysplasia and high-grade dysplasia (44.1% and 61.8%, respectively) but not in that of K-ras mutations (20.3% and 23.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study suggest that mutation of the p53 suppressor gene occurs earlier in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence than K-ras mutation, providing a clue for further understanding of the role of the p53 gene in the early stage of colorectal tumorigenesis. (C) 2002 American Cancer Society.